Oz Rock line-up, from left, Mick Peeling, Lisa Mio, Roger McLaughlin, Gary Young, John Grant, Peter Maslin and Bob Spencer.By Kath Gannaway
MIGHTY Oz Rock says it all when it comes to the cream of Australian rock music of the ’70s and ’80s.
The band, which will play at Healesville’s Fluid Lounge on 1 September, is the brain-child of former Little River Band bass player Roger McLaughlin.
McLaughlin said that for a long time he had entertained the concept of bringing together musicians and friends he had worked with throughout the ’70s and ’80s to celebrate home-grown music. Mighty Oz Rock cemented the concept.
The line-up is impressive.
Mick Peeling of Mick Peeling and the Ideals and Stars, Peter Maslin, drummer from Boom Crash Opera, Bob Spencer from Skyhooks and Angels, John Grant, a freelance keyboard player who has worked with the likes of Mike Brady and Brian Cadd, and Gary Young, frontman for Jon Cougar Melankamp cover-band Scarecrow, were at the forefront of the ’70s and ’80s rock experience.
Lisa Mio is a new talent McLaughlin describes as an exceptional singer who has worked with the industry’s best including Ross Wilson, Glen Shorrock and Rogue Traders.
“Lisa is a fabulous lead singer in her own right,” McLaughlin said.
“She sings all the AC/DC songs, which gives a bit of a twist to the whole thing, and also sings Skyhooks’ Women In Uniform, which shows incredible flexibility.”
McLaughlin compares tuning into Mighty Oz Rock live to switching on Gold FM but with 100 per cent certified Australian content.
The Mighty Oz Rock celebration of great Australian music will be at the Fluid Lounge in Healesville on Saturday, 1 September as a fund-raiser for the Healesville Junior Football Club.
Tickets are available at the Fluid Lounge on 5962 1800 or from Stuart Aldridge at LJ Hooker on 5962 5166.
